Turkish Crown Pizza Ring with Sucuk and Kaşar

This Turkish Crown Pizza Ring is a stunning centerpiece that turns pizza night into an event. A ring of golden, sesame-crusted dough wraps around spiced sucuk and melted kaşar cheese, then bakes into a crisp, pull-apart crown.

Perfect for sharing, this ring is as fun to make as it is to eat, with a dramatic presentation that never fails to impress.

Imagine a pizza that looks like a crown, with crispy golden points radiating from a center of bubbling cheese and savory sausage.

This Turkish Crown Pizza Ring delivers exactly that: a yeast dough stretched into a wide round, topped with oregano tomato sauce, sucuk, and kaşar, then folded into a star and baked until irresistible.

The result is a shareable, pull-apart bread that's perfect for dinner, parties, or game day.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The technique of folding the dough over the filling creates a self-contained ring that bakes evenly and holds everything together. The exposed dough points become crispy and golden, while the covered sections stay soft and chewy, giving a delightful contrast in every bite.

Using a small bowl in the center keeps the middle open, allowing the ring to form a crown shape.

As it bakes, the cheese melts and bubbles, creating pockets of gooey goodness that stretch when you pull the slices apart. The sesame seeds add a nutty crunch that complements the spiced sucuk beautifully.

Notes and substitutions

Sucuk is a Turkish fermented sausage with a distinct garlicky, spicy flavor. If unavailable, use a spicy chorizo or pepperoni for a similar kick. Kaşar cheese is a mild, semi-hard Turkish cheese that melts well; mozzarella or provolone are excellent substitutes.

The dough needs time to rise for a light, airy texture. Instant yeast speeds up the process, but active dry yeast can be used if dissolved in warm water first. For a richer flavor, let the dough rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight.

• sucuk sausage: spicy chorizo or pepperoni, sliced
• kaşar cheese: mozzarella or provolone, shredded
• oregano tomato sauce: pizza sauce or marinara with dried oregano
• toasted white sesame seeds: poppy seeds or nigella seeds

Equipment

• large mixing bowl
• rolling pin
• parchment paper
• small bowl (for center)
• pizza cutter or sharp knife
• pastry brush
• baking sheet
• wire rack